WE ARE KEY: looking back on 8 months of cooperation

The end of the year invites looking back. Leonie Hussaarts: ‘For me, this means looking back on my first 8 months as director of Key Region Leiden, an organization in development with a clear mission:

• Accelerate innovation & connect knowledge clusters;
• Preserve space for work through future-proof business parks;
• Strengthen broad-based SMEs.

Our credo: without strong SMEs, no strong knowledge economy. And without strong knowledge clusters no future-proof region.

Results

A sampling of what we have put together since May 1:

• Kicking off Key Region Leiden on July 7: Science for life!
• ROM-B’s exploration of how to keep room for entrepreneurship in business parks in the future.
• Opening House of Quantum at BioPartner Leiden: key technologies reinforcing each other.
• Strengthening the team with colleague Jarra Schroijen, a nice next step in further building Key Region Leiden.
• Opening Comet Lab at NL Space Campus and designating Unmanned Valley as official BVLOS test area.
• Investments that carry through to the entire region: from Eli Lilly’s €2.6 bln to €146 million for accessibility and housing.
• Dozens of SME vouchers for digitization, because SMEs are the backbone of our economy.
• International recognition: DutchReview calls Key Region Leiden a science hub of significance.
• Leiden Bio Science Park at the forefront of the Red Biotech proposal “Biotech Nexus” as part of the Wennink Report.
• Valuable conversations with government, education, entrepreneurs and major companies from across the region.
• Meeting administrative Europe table and working visits to Brussels for international positioning and presentation of our white paper Quantum Life Sciences.

And last but not least: incredibly fun and valuable meetings with enterprising, smart, fine and motivated people from our region. What a joy to work here!

Why does this matter?

Because everything is connected and we need each other. Large knowledge clusters strengthen local and regional businesses. And precisely the broad SMEs form the backbone of our economy and the knowledge economy. Key Region Leiden is the place where 8 of the 10 key technologies from the National Technology Strategy come together. Together we make impact. Together we are the key to innovation.

Samen maken we de kenniseconomie waardevol voor iedereen

WE ARE KEY!

You are KEY, We are KEY! Follow us on Linkedin to not miss a thing and help build a strong, innovative region!

Key Region Leiden has the highest knowledge density in the Netherlands around eight of the 10 prioritized key technologies. Innovation and collaboration is key. In doing so, we are in close contact with our network of partners to quickly capitalize on opportunities. Short lines, lots of energy. With the drive to achieve social impact at all levels. For the region, for South Holland, for the Netherlands, for Europe, for life! Science for life.